1899 HISTORIC HOTEL
Stop by the 1899 Historic Hotel, located along Highway 60. The 1899 Hotel, initially serving Castle Hot Springs Resort guests, was managed by John Shadrick Hardee, who later acquired it. The Hardee family owned and operated the property from the 1930s, serving various purposes like a hotel, restaurant, store, bar, and post office. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, it remained closed for over 20 years until Lisa Miller purchased the property in 2022 and restored the building. Activities at the hotel include gold panning, hotel tours, gold mine adventures, and more.
Location: 41037 W. Grand Avenue, Morristown, AZ | Website: 1899historichotel.com | P: 480-493-9329
ALAMO LAKE STATE PARK
Alamo Lake State Park holds the potential to produce epic springtime largemouth bass fishing memories amid gorgeous Sonoran Desert wildflowers. The bass here typically begin to spawn when lake surface temperature hits 65 degrees, so keep an eye on the weather and hope for a warming trend. The park rangers are always happy to take a call to relay current fishing conditions.
Arizona’s premier bass fishing destination is also a great place to see wintering birds and resident Sonoran Desert wildlife during a trip to the park.
Another aspect of this park is its clear night skies. Because this park is so remote, the stars, the moon, and other celestial points of interest can be seen very readily, especially with the aid of actual astronomy telescopes!
Location: Alamo Road, Wenden, AZ | Website: azstateparks.com/alamo-lake | P: (928) 669-2088
GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOTS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park was dedicated as a memorial to the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished in June of 2013 while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire. These two trails complete the seven-mile network within the park and offer very unique experiences for those who venture to the park and pay tribute to the brave men honored there.
The Hotshots Trail is an interpretive one-way adventure that is sure to evoke emotion. As hikers make their way through the Weaver Mountains while admiring the beauty that surrounds them, they will encounter 200+ stairs carved from the surrounding rock, interpretive signs, benches, and 19 memorial plaques. The plaques are set into rocks and share a photo and a story of each fallen Hotshot. Four interpretive signs paired with memorial benches provide information about the dangers and benefits of wildland firefighting.
The Journey Trail allows you to follow the last steps of the Hotshots down to where they made their last stand. Encircling the fatality site, 19 gabion baskets, one for each Hotshot, are united by chains representing their eternal team. A short path surrounds the gabions and the nearby memorial flagpole.
Website: azstateparks.com
JOSHUA TREE FOREST
One of the largest remaining Joshua tree stands is found 30 miles northwest of Wickenburg on Highway 93. It provides springtime visitors with a breathtaking sight of trees in bloom.
Website: arizonajoshuatreeforest.org
ROBSON’S MINING WORLD
Wander through the beautifully restored ghost town known as Robson’s Mining World. Additional information can be found on the website.
Website: westerndestinations.com
YARNELL SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH
Located just up the road 25 miles in the little town of Yarnell, the shrine contains statues and plaques following the Stations of the Cross. Once in downtown Yarnell, watch for signs off of Highway 89.
